Pulmonary hypertension laboratory tests
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Assistant Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ralph Matar,
Overview
Several laboratory tests are required in the evaluation of a patient for pulmonary hypertension. Laboratory tests help either in the exclusion of other differential diagnosis or in the determination of any medical condition that might be the cause of the pulmonary hypertension.
Laboratory Findings
- Biochemistry,hematology and thyroid function tests are required in all patients with pulmonary hypertension.(They are important for the diagnosis of chronic hemolytic anemia, myeloproliferative disorders, thyroid disorders and chronic renal failure on dialysis).
- Serologic testing to detect connective tissue diseases(systemic sclerosis), HIV and Hepatitis.
- Systemic sclerosis is very important to exclude in pulmonary hypertension because this systemic disease his risk factor for the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Anti-Scl-70, anti-centromere, and U3-RNP are typically positive.
- Liver function tests should be done to exclude portal hypertension.
- Both ANP and BNP have been shown to correlate with the survival in Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension. However NT-proBNP appears to be an independent predictor of survival and correlates with RV dysfunction.
- Serum uric acid is measured as it reflects an impaired oxidative metabolism of ischemic peripheral tissues.